Back Beach
Back Beach is New Plymouth's punchy daily driver—a powerful beach break with shifting sandbars that produces surprising force for its size. The volcanic black sand creates steep, fast waves that reward quick reflexes and punish hesitation. When northeast winds blow offshore and chest-to-head-high swells fill in, Back Beach transforms into a quality surf destination right in the city. Nearby reef breaks on either side offer alternatives when the banks aren't cooperating, while Mount Taranaki looms over everything, providing one of surfing's most distinctive backdrops.
Today's Conditions
Location & Conditions
Tide Times
Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (230°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 270°
- Size range
- 0.5m - 2m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.6m
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
6/10
👥 Autumn Break (Apr 4 – Apr 19) — expect extra crowds
Access: Right in New Plymouth. Easy access.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Aug
Secondary: Mar, Sep, Oct
Autumn/winter best. August peak consistency.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Fitzroy Beach
🛢️ Barrel potential • High tide magic • Taranaki staple
Stent Road
🗻 Taranaki's finest • Volcanic backdrop • Complete point package
Raglan - Manu Bay
🇳🇿 One of Earth's longest lefts • Endless Summer legend • Kiwi soul
Manu Bay
🥝 Raglan's inside section • Endless lefts • Kiwi icon
Raglan
🥝 New Zealand's finest • Black sand point breaks • 300m rides